Council by-elections

There were just three council by-elections yesterday. The Tories lost a seat to the Lib Dems, their 4th loss in January:

Heanor East Ward, Amber Valley DC. Lab hold. Lab 548 (58.4%, +8.4), Con 350 (37.3%, +11), LD 41 (4.4%, -0.3). Swing of 1.3% from Lab to Con since 2012.

Chadsmead Ward, Lichfield DC. LD gain from Con. LD 206 (36%, +4.8), Lab 157 (27.4%, -1.6), UKIP 108 (18.8%, +18.8), Con 102 (17.8%, -22). Swing of 3.2% from Lab to LD since 2011. Tories dropped from 1st place to 4th.

Buckie Ward, Moray UA. Ind hold. First preferences: Ind 830 (44.6%, -3.2), SNP 670 (36%, -9.1), Ind (220, 11.8%, +11.8), Con 143 (7.7%, +0.6). Swing of 3% from SNP to Ind since 2012.

Labourlist column

My column on the difference between reaction to Ed Balls' speech to the Fabians this year vs his 2012 one: http://labourlist.org/2014/01/what-a-difference-two-years-make/

Council by-elections

As well as Labour's victory in the Cowdenbeath Scottish Parliament by-election there were two council by-elections yesterday:

Motherwell North Ward, North Lanarkshire UA. Lab hold. First preferences: Lab 1719 (68.2%, +0.2), SNP 520 (20.6%, -4.7), Con 173 (6.9%, +2.5), UKIP 107, 4.2%, +4.2). Swing of 2.5% from SNP to Lab since 2012.

West Leigh Ward, Southend-on-Sea UA. Con hold. Con 743 (37.2%, -12.5), LD  688 (34.4%, +3.9), UKIP 418 (20.9%, +20.9), Lab  149 (7.5%, -1.7). Swing of 8.2% from Con to LD since 2012.

Labourlist column

My column this week for Labourlist takes a geeky look at Labour's chances of victory: http://labourlist.org/2014/01/8-reasons-labour-has-a-good-chance-of-an-overall-majority/

Council by-election

There was only one council by-election yesterday but it was a significant result. Labour gained a knife-edge marginal seat from the Tories in Trafford, one of only two Metropolitan boroughs they still control, and in a ward bordering onto Wythenshawe & Sale East where there is soon to be a parliamentary by-election.

This means the Tories have lost all three of the seats they have defended so far this year.

Broadheath Ward, Trafford MBC.  Lab gain from Con. Lab 1377 (44.6%, -1.7), Con 1258 (40.8%, +1.8), UKIP 234 (7.6%, +1.4), LD 150 (4.9%, +0.6), Green 67 (2.2%, -2.2). Swing of 1.8% from Lab to Con since 2012.

LabourList Column

First of my new regular Labourlist columns:

http://labourlist.org/2014/01/expecting-fireworks-at-the-special-conference-think-again/

Council by-elections

There were just three council by-elections this week, including two Tory losses, one a dramatic win for UKIP in Haverhill, a London-overspill town which has previously been competitive between the Tories and Labour.

7 January

Swinton South Ward, Salford MBC. Lab hold. Lab 661 (45.1%, -0.5), Con 298 (20.3%, +4.3), UKIP 215 (14.7%, +14.7), Green 196 (13.4%, -3.4), Eng Dem 54 (3.7%, -1.1), TUSC 43 (2.9%, +2.9). Swing of 2.4% from Lab to Con since 2012.

9 January

Haverhill East Ward, St Edmunsbury BC. UKIP gain from Con. UKIP 529 (54%, +54), Lab 240 (24.5%, -12.7), Con 157 (16%, -31.9), LD 54 (5.5%, -9.4). Swing of 33.4% from Lab to UKIP since 2011.

Borough Green & Long Mill Ward, Tonbridge & Malling DC. Ind gain from Con. Ind 692 (38.9%, +6.1), Con 588 (33%, -22.5), UKIP 349 (19.6%, +19.6), Lab 84 (4.7%, -7), Green 68 (3.8%, +3.8). Swing of 14.3% from Con to Ind since 2011.

Why I'm standing for the NEC this year

In a General Election year we need NEC members with real campaigning expertise and experience who can add value to the NEC oversight of Labour’s election campaign. We need people we can trust to take fair decisions and ensure members are presented with a real choice of candidates in overseeing the late candidate selections that happen close to an election. And we need people who will contribute constructive, vote-winning policy ideas to Labour’s final manifesto formulation. After the election we need an NEC that seeks to work with an incoming Labour Government not criticise it from the sidelines.

I believe I would bring all those qualities to the NEC. The proof is in my record when I served on the NEC previously from 2010 to 2012.

And at a time when the essential link between Labour and our trade union affiliates is under intense pressure, I believe that as an NEC member I could help play an important role in defending that link, as a staunch supporter of it but also someone firmly grounded in Labour’s moderate wing.

Last time I only just missed re-election by under 200 votes. This time I’m asking for your support to return to the NEC and pick up where I left off in 2012 as a strong voice for transparency and accountability, Party democracy, upholding the rulebook, and moderate election-winning values and policies; and a proven grassroots campaigner with real experience of how the Party works, and how it can win, to bring to the table.

My campaign website is here: http://www.luke4nec.org.uk/

You can register your support here: http://www.luke4nec.org.uk/register-your-support/

and on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/luke4nec